I am always looking for products and materials that achieve the goal of environmentally friendly erosion controls, such as this reusable best management practice.

SpecificationMaterialsA. Berm shall be a minimum 6 inches high and 10 feet long and made of 10 mil polyurethane or 22 oz. PVC.

Construction RequirementsWater Filled Diversion Bermsa. Water filled diversion berms shall be installed such that offsite water is prevented from entering the job site and site water is kept within the project boundary.b. Berms may be used to prevent contaminants and water from entering catch basins.c. Berms may be used on impervious surfaces.

PaymentO. Payment for “TESC – Water Filled Diversion Berms” will be made at the contract unit price per each per month as stated in the Schedule of Unit Prices, and shall be full compensation for furnishing the specified diversion berms. The unit price per each shall include the cost of mobilization/demobilization, cleaning, hauling and all incidentals for the number of diversion berms required by the Engineer for the duration of the contract.

I am trying to get to 100% biodegradable, recycled, reusable, recyclable, low impact best management practices. I have used burlap fabric fence several times, anytime it makes sense, really. I use it whenever I can leave it in place to degrade, like on habitat or wetland work. In one of the photos, plastic zip ties are used to attach the fabric to the wooden stakes; this is a mistake and has been changed to staples in the specification.

Construction Requirements18. Biofencea. Stakes shall be driven into the ground a minimum of 12 inches and be spaced no more than 6 feet apart.b. Fence ends shall be joined by wrapping ends together around a post 3 times and driven into the ground.c. Burlap fabric shall be attached to the post in at least 3 places using staples or other method approved by the Engineer.d. When used as a barrier fence, fabric shall not be trenched into the ground. When used as a silt fence, a minimum 8 inch flap shall be left at the bottom and held in place with straw wattles staked in as detailed in item 9 above.

PaymentC. Payment for “TESC – Biofence” will be made at the contract unit price per linear foot as stated in the Schedule of Unit Prices and shall be full compensation for furnishing all labor, equipment, materials and tools necessary to complete the installation of the biofence as detailed on the drawings or as directed by the Engineer and specified herein. The unit price shall include all maintenance, the removal of biofence, and restoration of the area at the completion of the work

Walking around South Congress district south of downtown Austin, I discovered a new best management practice-horizontal silt fence. This makes access to the work area so much easier than if vertical silt fence was used. Fortunately no rain in the near future.